It is most important that each UIL member school stay current with all athletic rules and policies. This page contains sport specific rule and season information for football. For additional information on UIL rules, refer to the policy section or the manuals section of our web site.
Football News
Drone Policy
Subject to local discretion, drones may be used in compliance with any local, homeland security, or FAA regulations / laws for practice purposes only.
Drones may not be used in association with any scrimmages, contests or games, other than as specifically allowed by the playing rules of the contest.
For football, according to NCAA Rules, drones are not allowed over the field or the team area when squad members are present within the playing enclosure. Outside the limit lines, game management (or conference policy) govern drone activity. This governance will include all federal, state, and local laws including campus policy where appropriate.
For UIL purposes, drones are not allowed to fly over the footprint of the stadium when team members, officials, bands, and other spirit groups are present.
Football Dates 2023-24
| Date | Event or Deadline |
|---|---|
| July 31 | First day of conditioning (No contact activities permitted. No contact equipment except helmets may be worn.) |
| August 5 | First day of full contact |
|
August 10 |
First scrimmage |
| August 17 | Second scrimmage (5 day rule applies) |
| August 24 | Third scrimmage (schools opting for a third scrimmage shall not play during week one) |
*Schools that do NOT participate in spring training are allowed 2 scrimmages.
5A AND 6A SCHOOLS WITH SPRING TRAINING
| Date | Event or Deadline |
|---|---|
| August 7 | First day of conditioning |
| August 12 | First day of full contact |
| August 17 | First scrimmage |
| August 24 | Second scrimmage (schools opting for a second scrimmage shall not play during week one) |
*Junior Varsity - Sub-varsity football teams can play on Wednesday during Week 1 only if the varsity team plays on Thursday of that same week.
| Week | Dates |
|---|---|
| Week One | August 24, 25, 26 (Sub-varisty football teams can play on Wednesday during Week 1 only if the varsity team plays on Thursday of that same week) |
| Week Two | August 31, September 1, 2 |
| Week Three | September 7, 8, 9 |
| Week Four | September 114, 15, 16 |
| Week Five | September 21, 22, 23 |
| Week Six | September 28, 29, 30 |
| Week Seven | October 5, 6, 7 |
| Week Eight | October 12, 13, 14 |
| Week Nine | October 19, 20, 21 |
| Week Ten | October 26, 27, 28 |
| Week Eleven | November 2, 3, 4 |
| Date | Deadline |
|---|---|
| November 4 | District Certification - Schools have 11 weeks to play a maximum of 10 games. |
| Week | Dates |
|---|---|
| Week One | November 9, 10, 11 |
| Week Two | November 16, 17, 18 |
| Week Three | November 23, 24, 25 |
| Week Four | November 30, December 1, 2 |
| Week Five | December 7, 8, 9 (Exception: 2A Division I may play on December 6) |
| State Championships | Week of December 13, 14, 15, 16 (All Conferences) |